Charcoal-BBQs
Charcoal BBQs open up a completely new dimension of cooking. They not only extend the capacity of your indoor kitchen, they also add a distinctive air to your outdoor living space. Is there a better place to socialize in the great outdoors than around the activities associated with outdoor cooking?
The term barbecue is appears to have differing meanings. It is the process of slow cooking of meat at low temperatures over time. For some, it is the result of this process. The term can also refer to the gathering of people in a festive atmosphere to consume the results of the process.
Some people refer to the quick cooking over a high heat on a grill as barbecuing, but by strict definition, this is simply grilling.
There are essentially two, possibly three, different types of BBQ grills. There is the gas grill that may use propane gas or natural gas. Then there are charcoal BBQs. In addition, there is cooking over a campfire with a grate, considered a type of charcoal grill by some.
Charcoal BBQs come in various shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Every grill satisfies a particular need in the world of outdoor cooking due to its unique design.
Types of Charcoal BBQs
- Campground Grills – usually cast iron grills mounted on a post in concrete and made available for public use.
- Freestanding Grills – typically utilizes its own frame to support the grill itself. These grills may have wheels for mobility.
- Smokers – designed for long slow cooking over low temperatures. This type of grill has vents for controlling the amount of smoke applied to the meat.
- Tailgating Grills – will usually be larger grills to handle a large volume of meat. This grill will usually be of significant size to require a trailer to tow it from place to place.
- Kettle Grills – perhaps one of the most popular home grills in use. The deep fire bowl allows for better control of heat and the lid allows for allowing smoke to escape or circulate through the meat.
- Portable Grills – designed for pack and go capability. These grills allow you to take your love of outdoor cooking with you no matter where you go.
- Combination Grills – have the capability of using either gas or charcoal. With two different cooking surfaces, you have the ability for quick grilling of steaks or burgers or the slower cooking of charcoal.
- Built in Grills – are grills built into a permanent structure in your outdoor space. These can integrate very well with your exterior landscape design but are limited to one location.
- Fire pits – designed to mimic the campfire of old. Adding a cooking grate turns this source of heat into a dual function barbecue grill.
Charcoal BBQs will typically have three types of cooking surfaces:
- Stainless Steel
- Cast Iron
- Porcelain
On occasion, the stainless steel and cast iron grates may be coated with porcelain. Each type of cooking surface has its own advantages and disadvantages. Porcelain grates get pitted and scratched, cast iron needs to be seasoned, and stainless steel may lose its temper and cook unevenly.
Charcoal BBQs are like any other purchase you make. You will get quality equivalent to what you pay for. The more expensive units will have better construction and will last longer while the less expensive units will need replacing every few seasons.
